Government of Afghanistan
Ministry of Counter Narcotics
Afghanistan Opium Survey 2008
August 2008
Executive Summary
ABBREVIATIONS
AEF
ANP
GPS
ICMP
MCN
RAS
UNODC
Afghan Eradication Force
Afghan National Police
Global Positioning System
Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme (UNODC)
Ministry of Counter-Narcotics
Research and Analysis Section (UNODC)
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The following organizations and individuals contributed to the implementation of the 2008
Afghanistan Opium Survey and to the preparation of this report:
Survey and Monitoring Directorate of Ministry of Counter-Narcotics:
Ibrahim Azhar (Director)
Mir Abdullah (Deputy Director)
Survey Coordinators: Fazal Karim (for the central region), Abdul Mateen (Nangarhar province),
Abdul Latif Ehsan ( Hirat province), Fida Mohammad (Balkh province), Mohammed Ishaq
Anderabi (Badakhshan province), Hashmatullah Asek (Kandahar province)
Remote sensing analysts: Ghulam Abbas and Sayed Sadat Mahdi
Khiali Jan (Survey Coordinator for the central region), Sayed Mehdi (Remote Sensing Analyst),
Ghulam Abbas (Remote Sensing Analyst), Mohammad Khyber Wardak (Data Expert), Arzo
Omid (Data Clerk), Mohammad Ajmal (Data Clerk), Sahar (Data Clerk).
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Kabul)
Christina Oguz (Country Representative), Hakan Demirbüken (Regional Illicit Crop Monitoring
Expert for South-West Asia and Survey Project Manager, STAS), Shirish Ravan (International
Project Coordinator, ICMP), Ziauddin Zaki (Data Analyst), Abdul Manan Ahmdzai (Survey
Officer)
Survey Coordinators: Abdul Basir Basiret (eastern region) Abdul Jalil (northern region), Abdul
Qadir Palwal (southern region), Fawad Alahi (western region), Mohammed Rafi (north-eastern
region), Rahimullah Omar (central region), Sayed Ahmad (southern region), Abdul Rahim Marikh
(eastern region), Fardin Osmani (northern region)
Eradication Verification Coordinators: Awal Khan, Hafizullah Hakimi, Khalid Sameem, and
Emran Bismell
Provincial Coordinators: Fazal Mohammad Fazli (southern region), Mohammad Alam Ghalib
(eastern region), Altaf Hussain Joya (western region), Mohammed Alem Yaqubi (north-eastern
region), Lufti Rahman (north region)
Eradication reporters: Ramin Sobhi and Zia Ulhaqa
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Vienna)
Sandeep Chawla (Chief, Policy Analysis and Research Branch), Angela Me (Chief, Statistics And
Surveys Section-SASS), Thibault Le Pichon (Chief, Studies and Threat Analysis Section-STAS),
Anja Korenblik (Programme Management Officer, STAS), Fernanda Tripodi (Programme Officer,
SASS/ICMP), Patrick Seramy (Database management, SASS/ICMP), Coen Bussink (GIS Expert,
SASS/ICMP), Kristina Kuttnig (Public Information Assistant, STAS).
The implementation of the survey would not have been possible without the dedicated work of the
field surveyors, who often faced difficult security conditions.
The UNODC Illicit Crop Monitoring activities in Afghanistan were made possible by financial
contributions from the European Commission and the Governments of Finland, Norway, the
United Kingdom and the United States of America.
ii
This report is dedicated to the memory of Fazal Ahmad,
MCN/UNODC who was part of the team carrying out the dangerous
task of verifying opium eradication statistics and lost his life in the
process.
The report is also dedicated to all the others who have lost their
lives in the cause of building peace in Afghanistan.
iii
iv
Afghanistan
2008 Annual Opium Poppy Survey
Executive Summary
August 2008
v
vi
Foreword
A receding flood?
The opium flood waters in Afghanistan have started to recede. This year, the historic high-water
mark of 193,000 hectares of opium cultivated in 2007 has dropped by 19% to 157,000 hectares.
Opium production declined by only 6% to 7,700 tonnes: not as dramatic a drop as cultivation
because of greater yields (a record 48.8 kg/ha against 42.5kg in 2007). Eradication was
ineffective in terms of results (only 5,480 ha and about one quarter of last year’s amount), but very
costly in terms of human lives.
Also the data collection for this Afghan Opium Survey turned into tragedy as one of our colleagues
perished in a suicide attack. Hence the decision to dedicate this work to him, and all those who
have died in Afghanistan for the cause of democracy and security.
Since last year, the number of opium-free provinces has increased by almost 50%: from 13 to 18.
This means that no opium is grown in more than half of the country’s 34 provinces. Indeed, 98%
of all of Afghanistan’s opium is grown in just seven provinces in the south-west (Hilmand,
Kandahar, Uruzgan, Farah, Nimroz, and to a lesser extent Daykundi and Zabul), where there are
permanent Taliban settlements, and where organized crime groups profit from the instability. This
geographical overlap between regions of opium and zones of insurgency shows the inextricable
link between drugs and conflict. Since drugs and insurgency are caused by, and effect, each other,
they need to be dealt with at the same time – and urgently.
The most glaring example is Hilmand province, in the south, where 103,000 ha of opium were
cultivated this year – two thirds of all opium in Afghanistan. If Hilmand were a country, it would
once again be the world’s biggest producer of illicit drugs.
By contrast, Nangarhar, Afghanistan’s second highest opium producing province in 2007, has
become poppy free. This is a remarkable accomplishment, the first time it happens in the
country’s modern history.
What made the flood recede?
Success in 2008 can be attributed to two factors: good local leadership and bad weather.
First, strong leadership by some governors, for example in Badakshan, Balkh and Nangarhar,
discouraged farmers from planting opium through campaigns against its cultivation, effective peer
pressure and the promotion of rural development. They deserve tangible recognition. Religious
leaders, elders and shura also deserve credit for becoming increasingly effective in convincing
farmers not to grow opium, not least because it is against Islam.
Second, drought contributed to crop failure, particularly in the north and north-west where most
cultivation is rain-fed. The same drastic weather conditions also hurt other crops, like wheat,
increasing significantly its domestic price. This, combined with the global impact of rising food
prices, is creating a food crisis. Yet, higher farm-gate wheat prices (because of shortages), and
lower farm-gate opium prices (because of excess supply) have significantly improved the terms of
trade of food: this may provide further incentive to shift crops away from drugs.
Winning back Afghanistan, province by province
To ensure that the opium flood recedes even further, several practical measures are needed.
x
Regain control of the West. The policy of winning back Afghanistan province by province has
proven successful. The goal for 2008 was to make many more provinces, and especially
Nangarhar and Badakshan, opium free. This has been achieved. The goal for 2009 should be
to win back Farah and Nimroz (as well as Zabul and Day Kundi) where opium cultivation and
vii
insurgency are lower than in the south. Because of low productivity, the economic incentive
to grow opium in this region is lower than in the country’s more fertile south.
x
Reward good performance. Prevention is less costly (in terms of human lives and economic
means) than manual eradication. Governors of opium free provinces, and those who may join
them in 2009, need to be able to deliver on their promises of economic assistance. Aid should
be disbursed more quickly, avoiding the transaction costs of national and international
bureaucracy. The revenue from licit crops has improved in both absolute and relative terms.
The gross income ratio of opium to wheat (per hectare) in 2007 was 10:1. This year it has
narrowed to 3:1.
x
Feed the poor. Afghanistan, already so poor, faces a food crisis. In addition to long-term
development assistance, Afghan farmers and urban dwellers urgently need food aid. If such
food is purchased domestically and redistributed, as UNODC has long been calling for, this
would further improve the terms of trade of licit crops.
x
Stop the cannabis With world attention focussed on Afghan opium, benign neglect has turned
Afghan cannabis into a low risk/high value cash crop. There is no point in reducing opium
cultivation if farmers switch to cannabis. This is happening in some of the provinces that are
opium free (for example in the north). The issue needs to be seriously researched and
addressed. Although in gross terms opium cultivation is most remunerative, today in
Afghanistan one hectare of cannabis generates even greater net income (because of opium’s
high labour cost.)
x
Build integrity and justice. Drug cultivation, production, and trafficking are carried out on an
enormous scale thanks to collusion between corrupt officials, landowners, warlords and
criminals. Until they all face the full force of the law, the opium economy will continue to
prosper with impunity, and the Taliban will continue to profit from it. It is the task of
development agencies and military operations to maintain economic growth and improve
security. These measures should be complemented by equally robust efforts towards good
governance, efficient administration and honest judiciary: these efforts have yet to gain
momentum.
x
Find the missing opium. While Afghan opium cultivation and production are declining, in
2008 (and for the third year in a row) its supply far outweighs world demand. Current
domestic opium prices (US$70 at farm-gates) show that this market is responding only slowly
to economic conditions. Such an inelastic price response suggests that vast amounts of opium,
heroin and morphine (thousand of tons) have been withheld from the market. We know little
about these stockpiles of drugs, besides that (as reported in the Winter Survey) they are not in
the hands of farmers. These stockpiles are a time bomb for public health and global security.
As a priority, intelligence services need to examine who holds this surplus, where it may go,
and for what purpose.
x
Catch the most wanted. In line with Security Council Resolutions 1735 and 1822, the Afghan
government, assisted by other countries, should bring to justice the most wanted drug
traffickers who are bankrolling terrorism and insurgency. Member states have yet to
demonstrate willingness to comply with the Security Council’s decisions, for example by
seeking extradition of the criminals who sow death among their youth.
x
Stop the precursor chemicals. In line with another Security Council resolution (1817 of July
2008) Member States agreed to step up efforts to stop the smuggling of precursor chemicals
used in Afghanistan to process heroin. During the past few months, increased joint operations
have resulted in larger seizures of acetic anhydride bound for Afghanistan. Yet, the risks and
the costs of producing heroin are still too low in Afghanistan and west Asia.
x
Regional security. Most of the opium-producing areas in Afghanistan are located along the
Iranian and, especially, the Pakistani borders. Greater counter-narcotics cooperation between
viii
the three countries, as well as Central Asia and the Gulf, would disrupt drug smuggling and
money laundering.
Hold the course
Afghanistan’s opium problem is big, but more and more localized to a handful of provinces in the
south-west. To reduce the problem further, farmers, provincial governors, and district officials
need to receive incentives and face deterrents in order not to grow poppy. Stronger security, rule
of law and development assistance are urgently needed.
The time to act is now. Unlike coca, opium is a seasonal plant. In a few weeks, farmers will decide
whether or not to plant opium for the 2008/09 harvest.
Afghan society has started to make progress in its fight against opium. Farmers now recognize
that the risk/reward balance is tilting against growing opium. Local administrators and religious
leaders have started to deliver. It is up to the central government to provide the leadership, security,
justice and integrity needed for further progress: a politically sensitive and yet crucial requirement
as the young Afghan democracy enters another election period.
Antonio Maria Costa
Executive Director
UNODC
ix
x
2008 Annual Opium Poppy Survey in Afghanistan
Fact Sheet
Difference on
2007
2007
-19%
2008
Net opium poppy cultivation (after eradication)
193,000 ha
157,000 ha
In percent of agricultural land
4.27%
2.05%
In percent of global cultivation
82%
N/A
Number of provinces affected by poppy
cultivation
21
16
Number of poppy free provinces
13
18
Eradication
19,047 ha
-71%
5,480 ha
Weighted average opium yield
42.5 kg/ha
+15%
48.8 kg/ha
Potential production of opium
8,200 mt
-6%
7,700 mt
In percent of global production
93%
Number of households involved in opium
cultivation
Number of persons involved in opium
cultivation
In percent of total population (23
million)1
Average farm gate price (weighted by
production) of fresh opium at harvest time
Average farm gate price (weighted by
production) of dry opium at harvest time
Afghanistan GDP2
Total farm gate value of opium production
509,000
-28%
366,500
3.3 million
-28%
2.4 million
14.3%
-19%
US$ 70/kg
US$ 122/kg
-22%
US$ 95/kg
US$ 7.5 billion
+36%
US$ 10.2 billion
US$ 1 billion
-27%
US$ 732 million
13%
7%
US$ 4 billion
N/A
53%
N/A
In percent of GDP
Household average yearly gross income from
opium of opium poppy growing families
Per capita gross income from poppy growing
for opium poppy growing farmers
10%
US$ 86/kg
In percent of GDP
Total export value of opium to neighboring
countries
N/A
US$ 1965
+2%
US$ 1997
US$ 302
+2%
US$ 307
Current Afghanistan GDP per capita
US$ 310
+34%
US$ 415
Indicative gross income from opium per ha
US$ 5200
-10%
US$ 4662
Indicative gross income from wheat per ha
US$ 546
+198%
US$ 1625
1
Source: Afghan Government, Central Statistical Office.
2
Source: Afghan Government, Central Statistical Office, preliminary estimate.
1
2
Summary findings
The total opium cultivation in 2008 in Afghanistan is estimated at 157,000 hectares (ha), a
19% reduction compared to 2007. Unlike previous years, 98% of the total cultivation is
confined to seven provinces with security problems: five of these provinces are in the south
and two in the west of Afghanistan.
Of the 34 provinces in the country, 18 were poppy free in 2008 compared to 13 in 2007. This
includes the eastern province of Nangarhar, which was the number two cultivator in 2007 and
now is free from poppy cultivation. At the district level, 297 of Afghanistan’s 398 districts
were poppy free in 2008. Only a tiny portion of the total cultivation took place in the north
(Baghlan and Faryab), north-east (Badakhshan) and east (Kunar, Laghman and Kapisa).
Together these regions counted for less than two per cent of cultivation. The seven southern
and western provinces that contributed to 98% of Afghan opium cultivation and production
are Hilmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Daykundi, Zabul, Farah and Nimroz. This clearly
highlights the strong link between opium cultivation and the lack of security.
The total opium production in 2008 is estimated at 7,700 metric tons (mt), a 6% reduction
compared to production in 2007. Almost all of the production (98%) takes place in the same
seven provinces where the cultivation is concentrated and where the yield per hectare was
relatively higher than in the rest of the country. All the other provinces contributed only 2%
of total opium production in the country.
The gross income for farmers who cultivated opium poppy is estimated at US$ 732 million in
2008. This is a decrease from 2007, when farm-gate income for opium was estimated at US$
1 billion.
Opium poppy cultivation decreases by 19% in 2008
The area under opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan decreased by 19% in 2008, from
193,000 ha in 2007 to 157,000 ha, 98% of which is confined to seven provinces in the south
and the west.
Figure 1: Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan (ha), 1994-2008
200,000
175,000
Hectares
150,000
125,000
100,000
75,000
50,000
25,000
0
Cult ivat ion
1994
1195
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
71,000
54,000
57,000
58,000
64,000
91,000
82,000
8,000
74,000
80,000
131,000
104,000
165,000
193,000
157,000
3
The Opium Winter Assessment Survey 2008 (implemented in January/February 2008)
anticipated a slight reduction in opium cultivation (UNODC, Afghanistan Opium Winter
Rapid Assessment Report, February 2008). The full Opium Survey shows that the cultivation
has reduced more than expected thanks to successful counter-narcotic efforts in the northern
and eastern provinces of Afghanistan. This decline was also a result of unfavorable weather
conditions that caused extreme drought and crop failure in some provinces, especially those in
which agriculture is rain-fed.
In areas where the cultivation decline has been the result of the severe drought, there are real
challenges for the Government and international stakeholders to sustain the declining
cultivation trend. There is an urgent need to mobilize support to meet short term and long
term needs of the farmers affected by the drastic weather conditions.
Eighteen provinces have been found to be free of poppy and cultivation. In eastern and
northern provinces cultivation was reduced to negligible levels. The province of Nangarhar,
which was once the top producing province, has become poppy free for the first time since the
systematic monitoring of opium started in Afghanistan in the early 1990s. 2008 also presents
a stark contrast because Nangarhar cultivated as much as 18,739 ha only last year.
The regional divide of opium cultivation between the south and rest of the country continued
to sharpen in 2008. Most of the opium cultivation is confined to the south and the west, which
are dominated by insurgency and organized criminal networks. This corresponds to the
sharper polarization of the security situation between the lawless south and relatively stable
north. Hilmand still remains the dominant opium cultivating province (103,500 ha) followed
by Kandahar, Uruzgan, Farah and Nimroz.
A major difference in the regional distribution of 2007 and 2008 cultivation is that cultivation
in the east (Nangarhar, Kunar and Laghman) has dropped to insignificant levels in 2008.
Compared to a total of 19,746 ha of opium cultivation in 2007, in 2008 the eastern region is
estimated to have cultivated only 1,150 ha.
Number of opium poppy free provinces increases to 18 in 2008
The number of opium poppy free provinces increased to 18 in 2008 compared to 13 in 2007
and six in 2006. These poppy free3 provinces are shown in the table below:
Central region
North region
North-East region
East region
West region
Ghazni*,Khost*, Logar*, Nuristan*, Paktika*, Paktya*, Panjshir*,
Parwan*, Wardak*
Balkh*, Bamyan*, Jawzjan, Samangan*, Sari Pul
Kunduz*, Takhar
Nangarhar
Ghor
* Poppy free provinces in 2007 and 2008
Encouragingly, all the provinces which were poppy free in 2007 remained poppy free in
2008. Campaigns against poppy cultivation, effective law enforcement implementation by the
Government, and alternative development assistance to farmers contributed to the increase in
the number of poppy free provinces. Prevailing conditions of drought, as noted above, also
played a part in making opium cultivation negligible in the rain-fed areas of northern
Afghanistan (Faryab and Badakhshan).
3
A region is defined as poppy free when it is estimated to have less than 100 ha of opium cultivation.
4
Nangarhar becomes poppy free for the first time in the history of UN opium monitoring in
Afghanistan
Nangarhar was traditionally a large poppy growing province and in 2007 it was estimated to
have 18,739 ha of opium cultivation. In 2008, Nangarhar province became poppy free for the
first time since the UN began opium cultivation monitoring in Afghanistan,
In 2004, poppy cultivation in Nangarhar was 28,213 ha; in 2005, it fell to1,093 ha. In 2006, it
increased to 4,872 ha but could only be found in very remote parts of the province.
Kunar and Laghman provinces also showed a considerable reduction (35% and 24%
respectively) in poppy cultivation in 2008. In both provinces, opium poppy cultivation
(amounting each to less then 500 ha) was restricted to remote areas that are difficult to access.
Kapisa also experienced a considerable reduction of 45% in opium cultivation. However, this
is a province with a high security risk and a higher percentage of agricultural land if
compared to Kunar and Laghman. These factors increase the challenges of sustaining the
reduction next year.
The poppy free status of Nangarhar and reduced cultivation in Kunar and Laghman show an
effective provincial leadership in implementing control measures to stop poppy cultivation in
the eastern region
North and North-East Afghanistan show drastic reduction in opium cultivation
Northern Afghanistan also shows successes in terms of poppy free status and reduced
cultivation. The total reduction in poppy cultivation in the north and north-east regions is 84
and 96% respectively compared to 2007.
In north and north-east Afghanistan, the amount of opium cultivation is estimated to be very
low affecting only three provinces, namely Faryab (289 ha), Baghlan (475 ha) and
Badakhshan (200 ha). The rest of the provinces in northern region (Balkh, Bamyan, Jawzjan,
Samangan, Saripul, Kunduz and Takhar) are poppy free.
The drought in 2008 affected not only opium cultivation but other agricultural production as
well. In particular, it caused the failure of the rain-fed wheat crop, which resulted in serious
difficulties for farmers. As a consequence, food prices have escalated in Afghanistan. If
emergency food aid and massive development aid are not extended to the northern, central
and eastern parts of the country (especially Nangarhar), there is a serious risk of a backlash
next year. Many farmers are losing the cash income they used to receive from opium, and at
the same time they have to buy wheat and other food items at very high prices. This poses
considerable challenges in keeping the region poppy free in the near future.
98% of opium poppy cultivation is restricted to the South and South-West
The number of security incidents increased sharply in the last three years, especially in the
south and south-west of Afghanistan. Over the same period, and in the same regions, opium
cultivation showed the same sharp increase. In 2008, 98% of opium cultivation is confined to
seven provinces in the south and west, namely Hilmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul, Farah
and Nimroz. Security conditions are extremely poor in those provinces.
Hilmand still remains the single largest opium cultivating province with 103,500 ha (66% of
total cultivation in Afghanistan) almost at the same level as 2007. Between 2002 and 2008,
cultivation in Hilmand province more than tripled. A lot of land outside the traditional
agricultural areas has been reclaimed for the sole purpose of opium cultivation in Hilmand.
5
Photo 1
Photo 1 shows an area on the right side of the canal which has been newly reclaimed as
agricultural land for opium cultivation. Farmers in Hilmand appear to be able to afford the
high expenses needed to reclaim land for opium cultivation.
Photo 2
Photo 2 shows agriculture land in Nad Ali district which is well developed with ample
irrigation facilities. This area is known for its intensive opium cultivation. The picture shows
wheat and poppy in the sprouting stage. Wheat can be distinguished from opium because of
its darker green colour.
6
In Kandahar province, opium cultivation was 14,623 ha in 2008 (a reduction of 12% from
2007) but remaining significantly higher than in 2006. The increase in opium cultivation
started in the year 2004 when only 4,959 ha were cultivated. Since then, the area under opium
poppy has tripled. The total area under opium in Zabul increased by 45% reaching 2,335 ha in
2008.
Table 1: Distribution of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan by region, 2007- 2008
2007 (ha)
2008 (ha)
Change
2007-2008
2007 (ha) as
% of total
2008 (ha) as
% of total
Southern
133,546
132,760
-1%
69%
84%
Northern
4,882
766
-84%
3%
0.5%
Western
28,619
22,066
-23%
15%
14%
North-eastern
4,853
200
-96%
3%
0.1%
Eastern
20,581
715
-97%
11%
0.5%
Central
500
746
49%
0.3%
0.5%
Region
In 2008 there was a 5% decrease in opium cultivation in Nimroz province (6,203 ha)
compared to last year. Cultivation in Nimroz was three times as high as in 2006. The majority
of the cultivation has always been located in Khash Rod district. Many new agricultural areas
were developed in the northern part of this district since 2007, and a vast majority of them
have been used for opium cultivation.
Opium cultivation in Farah amounted to 15,010 ha with a 1% increase compared to 2007
(14,865 ha) when the total area under opium poppy almost doubled compared to 2006 (7,694
ha). No eradication was carried out in this province despite the high opium cultivation. In
2002, the total cultivation in this province was only 500 ha.
Table 2: Main opium poppy cultivating provinces in Afghanistan (ha), 2008
%
Total
in
2008
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Change
20072008
Hilmand
15,371
29,353
26,500
69,324
102,770
103,590
1%
66%
Kandahar
3,055
4,959
12,989
12,619
16,615
14,623
-14%
9%
Farah
1,700
2,288
10,240
7,694
14,865
15,010
1%
10%
Uruzgan
4,698
N/A
2,024
9,773
9,204
9,939
7%
6%
Nimroz
26
115
1,690
1,955
6,507
6,203
-5%
4%
Province
7
Table 3: Opium poppy cultivation (2004-2008) and eradication (2007-2008) in Afghanistan (ha)
by region and province
PROVINCE
Cultivation
2004 (ha)
Cultivation
2005 (ha)
Cultivation
2006 (ha)
Cultivation
2007 (ha)
Cultivation
2008 (ha)
Change
Change Total area of Total area of
2007-2008 2007-2008 eradication in eradication in
(ha)
(%)
2007 (ha)
2008 (ha)
Kabul
282
0
80
500
310
-190
-38%
14
20
Khost
838
0
133
0
0
0
0%
16
0
Logar
24
0
0
0
0
0
0%
0
0
Paktya
1,200
0
0
0
0
0
0%
0
0
Panjshir
0
0
0
0
0
0
0%
0
0
Parwan
1,310
0
124
0
0
0
0%
1
0
Wardak
1,017
106
0
0
0
0
0%
0
0
Ghazni
62
0
0
0
0
0
0%
0
0
Paktika
Central Region
Kapisa
0
4,733
522
0
106
115
0
337
282
0
500
835
0
310
436
0
-190
-399
0%
-38%
-48%
0
31
10
0
20
6
Kunar
4,366
1,059
932
446
290
-156
-35%
27
103
Laghman
2,756
274
710
561
425
-136
-24%
802
26
Nangarhar
28,213
1,093
4,872
18,739
0
-18,739
-100%
2,339
26
Nuristan
Eastern Region
Badakhshan
764
36,621
15,607
1,554
4,095
7,370
1,516
8,312
13,056
0
20,581
3,642
0
1,151
200
0
-19,430
-3,442
0%
-94%
-95%
0
3,178
1,311
3
164
774
Takhar
762
1,364
2,178
1,211
0
-1,211
-100%
781
0
Kunduz
North-eastern Region
Baghlan
224
16,593
2,444
275
9,009
2,563
102
15,336
2,742
0
4,853
671
0
200
475
0
-4,653
-196
0%
-96%
-29%
5
2,097
185
0
774
85
Balkh
2,495
10,837
7,232
0
0
0
0%
14
0
0
Bamyan
803
126
17
0
0
0
0%
0
Faryab
3,249
2,665
3,040
2,866
291
-2,575
-90%
337
0
Jawzjan
1,673
1,748
2,024
1,085
0
-1,085
-100%
122
0
Samangan
1,151
3,874
1,960
0
0
0
0%
0
0
Sari Pul
Northern Region
Hilmand
1,974
13,789
29,353
3,227
25,040
26,500
2,252
19,267
69,324
260
4,882
102,770
0
766
103,590
-260
-4,116
820
-100%
-84%
1%
114
772
4,003
0
85
1,416
Kandahar
4,959
12,989
12,619
16,615
14,623
-1,992
-12%
7,905
1,222
Uruzgan
11,080
2,024
9,703
9,204
9,939
735
8%
204
113
Zabul
2,977
2,053
3,210
1,611
2,335
724
45%
183
0
Day Kundi
Southern Region
Badghis
0
48,369
614
2,581
46,147
2,967
7,044
101,900
3,205
3,346
133,546
4,219
2,273
132,760
587
-1,073
-786
-3,632
-32%
-1%
-86%
5
12,300
232
0
2,751
0
Farah
2,288
10,240
7,694
14,865
15,010
145
1%
143
9
Ghor
4,983
2,689
4,679
1,503
0
-1,503
-100%
188
38
Hirat
2,531
1,924
2,287
1,525
266
-1,259
-83%
70
352
115
10,531
131,000
1,690
19,510
104,000
1,955
19,820
165,000
6,507
28,619
193,000
6,203
22,066
157,000
-304
-6,553
-36,000
-5%
-23%
-19%
35
668
19,047
113
511
4,306
Nimroz
Western Region
Total (rounded)
8
Potential opium production in Afghanistan declines to 7,700 mt in 2008
The average yield for Afghanistan in 2008 was 48.8 kg/ha compared to 42.5 kg/ha in 2007.
This is the highest average yield estimated for Afghanistan since 2000.
The yield per hectare in the southern region is normally considerably higher than the rest of
the country. Prior to 2008, there was significant opium cultivation outside the southern region
which lowered the average national yield. In 2008, the region that accounted for 98% of the
total national cultivation is the one with the highest yield.
Although the weather conditions were unfavorable for a second crop (spring cultivation)
throughout the whole country, the first crop (fall cultivation) in south and south-west received
adequate irrigation. These conditions naturally led to a reduced level of cultivation in 2008
and lower yields in the central and eastern regions, but they did not affect the yield in the
south, where most of the cultivation was concentrated and where the yield actually increased.
Given the different distribution of the cultivation and yield, the 19% total decrease in
cultivation resulted in a smaller 6% decrease in potential opium production which is estimated
in 2008 at 7,700 mt. If all the opium were converted into heroin and using a 7:1 ratio as
reported in previous studies, this would amount to 1,100 mt of heroin4.
Figure 2: Potential opium production in Afghanistan (metric tons), 1994-2008
8,000
7,000
Metric tons
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Production 3,416 2,335 2,248 2,804 2,693 4,565 3,278 185 3,400 3,600 4,200 4,100 6,100 8,200 7,700
Reflecting the distribution of the cultivation, almost 98% of the potential opium production
took place in the south and south-west of Afghanistan in 2008. The opium production in
Hilmand alone (5,397 mt) was higher than Afghanistan’s total production in 2005 (4,100 mt).
4
It is estimated that the actual production of morphine and heroin in Afghanistan is about 30 to 40% less than
the total 1,100 mt, since a significant amount of opium is exported to other countries without being processed in
Afghanistan.
9
Table 4: Average opium yield in Afghanistan by region, 2007-2008
2007 Average
yield (kg/ha)
2008 Average
yield (kg/ha)
Change
Central (Parwan, Paktya, Wardak, Khost, Kabul,
Logar, Ghazni, Paktika, Panjshir)
51.9
36.2
-30%
East (Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan, Kapisa)
45.2
39.3
-13%
North-east (Badakhshan, Takhar, Kunduz)
40.7
31.4
-23%
49.7
54.6
10%
42.2
52.1
23%
28.8
29.7
3%
42.5
48.8
15%
Region
North (Bamyan, Jawzjan, Sari Pul, Baghlan, Faryab,
Balkh, Samangan)
South (Hilmand, Uruzgan, Kandahar, Zabul, Day
Kundi)
West (Ghor, Hirat, Farah, Nimroz, Badghis)
Weighted national average
Potential opium production in the southern region of Afghanistan increased in 2008 by 20%
reaching 6,917 mt, which is equivalent to 90% of the production in the whole country. In
western regions, potential opium production decreased by 32% to 655 mt. Opium
production decreased by 82% in the northern region, by 97% in the north-east and by 96%
in the eastern region. The total amount of production in north, north-east and east was only
93 mt, which is just over 1% of the total potential opium production of the country.
10
5
Table 5: Potential opium production by region and by province (metric ton), 2007-2008
PROVINCE
Kabul
Khost
Logar
Paktya
Panjshir
Parwan
Wardak
Ghazni
Paktika
Central Region
Kapisa
Kunar
Laghman
Nangarhar
Nuristan
Eastern Region
Badakhshan
Takhar
Kunduz
North-eastern
Region
Baghlan
Balkh
Bamyan
Faryab
Jawzjan
Samangan
Sari Pul
Northern Region
Hilmand
Kandahar
Uruzgan
Zabul
Day Kundi
Southern Region
Badghis
Farah
Ghor
Hirat
Nimroz
Western Region
Total (rounded)
5
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
17
11
17
0
0
45
6
0
0
Change
2007-2008
(mt)
-15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-15
-23
-7
-3
-1006
0
-1039
-146
-43
0
Change
2007-2008
(%)
-57%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
-57%
-58%
-38%
-15%
-100%
0%
-96%
-96%
-100%
0%
195
6
-189
-97%
36
0
0
135
54
0
9
233
4,399
739
411
61
135
5,745
100
409
44
33
372
959
8,200
26
0
0
16
0
0
0
42
5,397
762
518
122
118
6,917
17
446
0
8
184
655
7,700
-10
0
0
-119
-54
0
-9
-192
998
22
107
60
-17
1172
-83
37
-44
-25
-188
-303
-500
-28%
0%
0%
-88%
-100%
0%
-100%
-82%
23%
3%
26%
98%
-12%
20%
-83%
9%
-100%
-76%
-51%
-32%
-6%
Production
2007 (mt)
Production
2008 (mt)
26
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
26
40
18
20
1,006
0
1,084
152
43
0
REGION
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
Central
East
East
East
East
East
North-East
North-East
North-East
North
North
North
North
North
North
North
South
South
South
South
South
West
West
West
West
West
Total national opium production is derived from the weighted average yield and total cultivation
11
10.3% of the total population is involved in opium cultivation
The total number of households involved in growing poppy in 2008 is estimated at 366,000, a
reduction of 28% compared to 2007. Of these, 266,862 families (73%) were in the southern
region (Hilmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul and Day Kundi) and 18% in the western region
(Nimroz and Farah). The percentage of opium cultivating families is negligible in the rest of
the country.
Given an average of 6.5 members per household6, this represents an estimated total of about
2.38 million persons, or 10.3 % of Afghanistan’s total population of 23 million7
In terms of the average size of fields dedicated to poppy cultivation per poppy-growing
household, the southern region showed the biggest size (0.5 ha) compared to any other region.
Table 6: Number of families involved in opium cultivation in Afghanistan, 2008
Percentage of
poppy growing
households over
total number of
households
Average size of
poppy fields per
each household
growing poppy(ha)
Region
Opium poppy
cultivation (ha)
Total no. of
households growing
poppy
Central
310
3,747
1%
0.08
Eastern
1,151
19,743
5%
0.06
North-eastern
200
6,218
2%
0.03
Northern
766
5,240
1%
0.15
Southern
132,760
266,862
73%
0.50
Western
22,066
18%
0.34
Total (rounded)
157,000
64,674
366,500
100%
0.43
Opium prices fall in 2008
In 2008, the weighted average farm-gate price of fresh opium at harvest time was US$ 70/kg,
which is 19% lower than in 2007 and almost one fifth of the price in 2001. Between 2007 and
2008 farm-gate prices of dry opium also fell by 22%, reaching US$ 95/kg (weighted price) at
harvest time.
The Afghanistan Government (Ministry of Counter-Narcotics) and UNODC (MCN/UNODC)
have monitored opium prices on a monthly basis in various provinces of Afghanistan since
19948. These monthly prices show a decreasing trend for farm-gate dry opium prices since the
year 2004.
6
7
8
Source: Central Statistics Office, Government of Afghanistan.
Source: Central Statistics Office, Government of Afghanistan.
UNODC also started monitoring prices in two key provinces in 1997.
12
0
85
91
123
Month
13
Jul-08
May -08
Jun-08
Dec -07
Jan-08
Feb-08
Mar-08
Apr- 08
Jul- 07
Aug -07
Sep -07
Oct- 07
Nov -07
Feb-07
Mar-07
Apr- 07
May -07
Jun-07
Jul- 06
Aug -06
Sep -06
Oct- 06
Nov -06
Dec -06
Jan-07
Mar-06
Apr- 06
May -06
Jun-06
91
90
106
105
103
98
101
105
108
113
114
115
127
121
125
128
139
136
133
134
141
140
140
141
145
145
150
149
170
167
171
161
159
152
147
161
154
187
180
200
Jul-05
Aug -05
Sep -05
Oct- 05
Nov -05
Dec -05
Jan-06
Feb-06
137
50
May -05
Jun-05
105
100
100
139
150
Dec -04
Jan-05
Feb-05
Mar-05
Apr -05
Sep -04
Oct- 04
Nov -04
Price in (USD/Kg)
222
Figure 3: Average farm-gate price of dry opium (US$/kg), September 2004 to July 2008
250
Figure 4: Fresh opium farm-gate prices at harvest time (weighted by production) in
Afghanistan(US$/kg), 1994-2008
350
301
300
283
250
US$/kg
250
200
150
92
100
102
94
86
70
50
30
23
24
34
33
40
28
0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Sources: UNODC, Opium Surveys 1994-2007
Table 7: Farm-gate prices of dry and fresh opium in Afghanistan at harvest time (US$/kg) by
region, 2008
Region
Central (Parwan, Paktya,
Wardak, Khost, Kabul,
Logar, Ghazni, Paktika,
Panjshir)
Eastern (Nangarhar,
Kunar, Laghman,
Nuristan, Kapisa)
North-eastern
(Badakhshan, Takhar,
Kunduz)
Northern (Bamyan,
Jawzjan, Sari Pul,
Baghlan, Faryab, Balkh,
Samangan)
Southern (Hilmand,
Uruzgan, Kandahar,
Zabul, Day Kundi)
Western (Ghor, Hirat,
Farah, Nimroz, Badghis)
National average price
weighted by production
Average
Fresh Opium
Price (US$)2007
Average
Fresh Opium
Price (US$)2008
Change
Average Dry
Opium Price
(US$)-2007
Average Dry
Opium Price
(US$)-2008
Change
124
133
7%
167
171
2%
88
92
5%
168
117
-30%
71
85
20%
86
72
-16%
71
56
-21%
90
72
-20%
85
69
-19%
115
94
-18%
97
83
-14%
125
104
-17%
86
70
-19%
122
95
-22%
14
Trends in average dry farm-gate prices vary according to regions. They decreased by 30% in
eastern regions, while in other regions (except the central region), the decrease in dry farmgate prices is between 16-20%. Opium prices increased by only 2% in the central region. The
highest dry opium prices were reported in the central (US$ 171/kg) and eastern regions (US$
117/kg).
One possible explanation for the general decreasing trend is that there is a surplus of opium
due to the record production of 8,200 mt in 2007 and another significant production level of
7,700 mt in 2008. These production levels are above the estimated global demand of illicit
opium9 suggesting that the surplus production has been accumulated as stocks.
It could be argued that given the production increases in 2006 and 2007 and the still high
production in 2008, prices have not fallen as much as expected. A possible explanation could
be that after the sharp decrease in opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar and Laos in recent
years, opium from Afghanistan appears to be increasingly trafficked to China, India and
South-East Asia, which were traditionally supplied by opium from the Golden Triangle.
Total farm-gate value of opium decreased by 27% to US$ 732 million
Based on opium production and reported opium prices, the farm-gate value of the opium
harvest amounted in 2008 to US$ 732 million. The farm-gate value of opium as a proportion
of GDP decreased in 2008 to 7% compared to 13% in 200710.
Slight decrease of opium income for Hilmand farmers
In 2008, farmers in Hilmand earned a total of US$ 513 million of income from the farm-gate
value of opium. In 2007, the total opium income for farmers in Hilmand amounted to US$
528 million, an increase from the total US$ 347 million estimated in 2006.
Several parts of the south and south-west are under the control of anti-government elements.
Some of the 10% agricultural tax that is generally levied could thus provide revenue for these
anti-government elements who, in turn, provide protection for poppy growing areas.
Reasons for cultivation/non-cultivation of opium poppy
As part of the 2008 survey, 3,050 farmers in 1,529 villages across Afghanistan were asked
about their reasons for cultivating, or not cultivating, opium poppy. Each farmer could
provide more than one reason.
As in 2007, almost all farmers who never cultivated opium reported ‘religion’ as one of the
reasons (91% of farmers in 2008 and 93% in 2007). A consistent number of farmers also
reported ’illegality of the crop’ (68% of farmers), and ‘respect for a shura/elders decision’
(46% of farmers). Based on these results, it could be argued that the majority of farmers who
never cultivated poppy appear to be sensitive to the rule of law. In fact few farmers cited
reasons related to income or climate for not growing poppy. This also shows that the
cultural/religious pressure for not cultivating poppy can indeed be very strong.
9
World Drug Report 2008, UNODC
These percentages were calculated considering the 2007 GDP estimated by the Central Statistical Office of
Afghanistan).at US$ 10.2 billion.
10
15
Figure 5: Reasons for never having cultivated poppy (n=1488 farmers in 2007; n=1804 in
2008)11
91%
Against Islam
93%
68%
Illegal crop
68%
46%
Elders and shura decision
44%
15%
Earn enough from other crops / sources
16%
12%
Climate condition is not suitable
Other
11%
2%
5%
Negative impact on society
1%
Lack of water
1%
Lack of experience
1%
Fear of eradication
1%
Respect for government ban
1%
2%
1%
1%
2007
2008
38%
Among the farmers that grew poppy in the past but stopped, “respect for Government ban” is
one of the reasons most commonly reported (79% of farmers), followed by “decisions of the
elders and the Shura” (48%), and poor yield (36%). To a lesser extent farmers reported
reasons related to weather or agricultural conditions.
Figure 6: Reasons for not having cultivated opium poppy in 2007 and 2008 (n=2261 in 2007;
n=2521 in 2008)11
79%
Respect for government ban
Elders and Shura decision
36%
Poor yield
14%
18%
12%
22%
9%
Lack of water
Lack of experience
Land/climate conditions not suitable
Against Islam
Other
Low sale price of opium
85%
48%
50%
4%
2%
1%
2%
Fear of eradication
1%
Negative impact of society
1%
32%
25%
2007
2008
11
The percentages add to more 100 because farmers reported more than one reason. The presentation of the data
differs from previous years. This year the percentage of each reported reason is presented as percentage of total
number of farmers. Previous years data were reported as percentage of total number of responses (total number
of responses were higher than the number of farmers because farmers reported more than one response).
16
Shura decisions, respect for Government ban and religion are less important in the south of
Afghanistan compared to the other regions. In the eastern region, farmers appear to be more
concerned about respecting the Government ban than in other regions.
One of the reasons reported by the majority of farmers for cultivating opium across the
regions was ‘poverty alleviation’ (92% of farmers). Among the most common additional
reasons provided were ‘high sale price of opium’ (66% of farmers) and ‘possibility of
obtaining loans’(50% of farmers). In southern and western provinces, high sale price and
poverty alleviation were the dominant reasons for opium cultivation while in the eastern
region it was poverty alleviation.
Figure 7: Reasons for opium poppy cultivation in 2008 (n=718 in 2007; n=508 in 2008)12
92%
Poverty alleviation
85%
High cost of wedding
38%
66%
High sale price of opium
74%
50%
Possibility of obtaining loan
48%
37%
High demand for opium
30%
21%
Needed for personal consumption
Encouraged by external influence
7%
8%
3%
Low cost of inputs (seeds, fertilizer,
labour)
2%
Other
2%
2007
2008
4%
7%
Agriculture assistance received by the farmer
In addition to farmers, headmen were interviewed in each of the 1,529 villages included in the
survey. According to the information that they provided, 281 out of the 1,529 surveyed
villages (18.4%) received agricultural assistance. The type of assistance varied and included
improved seeds/saplings (78% of villages), fertilizers (69% of villages), irrigation facilities
(14% of villages). Only 2% received agricultural training.
The majority (72%) of the villages which received agriculture assistance did not opt for
poppy cultivation in 2008. However the remaining 28% still cultivated poppy despite
receiving agricultural assistance.
12
See footnote 11.
17
Figure 8: Type of agricultural assistance delivered to villages as reported by headman (n = 281
villages that received agricultural assistance)13
Improved
seeds/saplings
78%
Fertilizer
69%
Irrigation
14%
Other
2%
Agricultural Training
2%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Income levels and poppy cultivation
In the 2008 village survey, MCN/UNODC collected information on the 2007 annual
household income of 3,050 farmers, both poppy growing and non-growing. Results confirm
the 2006 trend that in the southern region farmers have higher income than those living in
other regions. The 2007 average annual income for poppy growing farmers increased in
southern and western Afghanistan while it decreased in the rest of Afghanistan compared to
2006. The average annual income of poppy growing farmers in north-eastern and central
Afghanistan was less than that of non-poppy growing farmers in 2007 due to the low level of
poppy cultivation and the decrease in prices. In these two regions, farmers grew opium
mainly for personal consumption.
Similar to 2007, the 2008 survey shows that the cultivation of opium is more widely spread
in regions where farmers have the highest levels of income.
Table 8: 2007 annual household income by region
Region
Central
Eastern
North-eastern
Northern
Southern
Western
Over all
14
Average annual
household income of
poppy famers in 2007
(US$)
1
Average annual
household income of
non-poppy famers in
2007 (US$)
2
% household income
difference between non-poppy
farmers and poppy farmers as
% of poppy farmers income
(2-1)/1
2357
1817
1970
2270
6194
2895
5055
2674
1753
2290
1862
3382
2273
2370
+13%
-4%
+16%
-18%
-45%
-21%
-53%
13
The percentages add to more than 100 because the village may have received more than one type of assistance.
Caution should be used in comparing household income of growing and non growing households and across
regions given the different size and distribution of farmers in the samples.
14
18
Security and opium cultivation show strong correlation
In 2008, 98% of the opium poppy cultivation was concentrated in Hilmand, Kandahar,
Uruzgan, Day Kundi, Zabul, Farah and Nimroz, where security conditions are classified as
high or extremely risky by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).
Most of the districts in this region are not accessible to the UN and NGOs. Anti-government
elements as well as drug traders are very active in this region. Provinces in the south are the
stronghold of anti-government elements, while provinces in the west (Farah and Nimroz) are
known to have organized criminal networks. The security map (source: UNDSS) shows the
difference between southern and northern provinces in terms of security.
Security incidents in Afghanistan have been on the rise every year since 2003, especially in
the south and south-western provinces. The number of security incidents increased sharply in
2006, in parallel with the increase of opium poppy cultivation. The year 2008 shows a further
sharp increase in security incidents.
Figure 9: Number of security incidents by month, January 2003 to June 2008
UNDSS SECURITY INCIDENTS
1000
900
800
2003
700
2004
2005
600
500
2006
2007
400
300
2008
200
100
0
Jan Feb
Mar
Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
Source: UNDSS, Kabul
Opium poppy eradication has become more risky
Eradication activities in 2008 were severely affected by resistance from insurgents. Since
most of the poppy cultivation remains confined to the south and south-west region dominated
by strong insurgency, eradication operations may in the future become even more
challenging.
Security incidents associated with eradication activities in Hilmand, Kandahar, Hirat, Nimroz,
Kapisa, Kabul and Nangarhar provinces included shooting and mine explosions resulting in
19
the death of at least 78 people, most of whom were policemen. This is an increase of about
75% if compared to the 19 deaths in 2007. The major incidents were in Nanarhar and Nimroz
provinces.
One of the most serious incidents happened in Khogyani district of Nangarhar, where 20
policemen were killed together with Fazal Ahmad, a MCN/UNODC surveyor whose job was
to collect the data that feed into this report. Other incidents happened in Khashrod district of
Nimroz, where 29 people died along with the district police chief. Both attacks were carried
out by suicide bombers. The Poppy Eradication Force (PEF) faced a large number of rocket
attacks while carrying out eradication in Hilmand province.
The nature of the attacks changed between 2007 and 2008. In 2007, police deaths were the
result of violence by farmers whereas deaths in 2008 were the result of insurgent actions,
including suicide attacks.
5,480 ha of opium poppy eradication verified
A total of 5,480 ha of eradicated poppy fields were verified by MCN/UNODC. This included
Governor-led eradication (GLE) (4,306 ha) and eradication led by the centrally controlled
Poppy Eradication Force (PEF) (1,174 ha). It should be noted that the figure provided for
GLE is a result of adjustments made to the initial figures reported by the field verifiers in the
two provinces of Helmand and Kandahar following the discovery of significant overreporting in these two provinces. These adjustments were made using satellite images which
brought the figure of 6,326 ha initially reported by the field verifiers down to 3,842 ha. All
verification from the centrally directed PEF was found accurate after a similar verification
was done using satellite images.
Summary of eradication since 2005
The eradication and cultivation situation since 2005 is provided in the table below:
Table 9: Eradication and cultivation in Afghanistan (ha) 2005-2008
Year
GLE (ha)
PEF (ha)
Total (ha)
Cultivation (ha)
% poppy in insecure provinces of South and
West
Poppy free provinces
2005
4,000
210
4,210
104,000
2006
13,050
2,250
15,300
165,000
2007
15,898
3,149
19,510
193,000
2008
4,30615
1,174
5,480
157,000
56%
68%
80%
98%
8
6
13
18
Some of the key factors that could explain the drop in eradication carried out in 2008 are:
o A reduction in the number of provinces eradicating because of the number of poppyfree provinces and provinces with negligible levels of cultivation increased in 2008.
In 2007, 26 provincial governors conducted eradication; in 2008 only 17 provinces
conducted eradication.
o Overall crop failure due to an extremely cold winter reduced the poppy crop in a
number of provinces.
15
The final figure adjusted using high resolution satellite images.
20
o Increased voluntary and/or forced self-eradication by poppy farmers. An active public
information campaign and vigorous enforcement action by some provincial governors
led to a substantial amount of self-eradication carried out by farmers either voluntarily
or through coercion. These figures cannot be counted in the official figures (because
they are not verifiable) but the claims are in the order of 3,000- 4,000 ha..
o Unlike previous years, most of the cultivation is concentrated in a limited number of
lawless provinces in the south (Hilmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul and Daykundi)
and west (Farah and Nimroz). Eradication in these provinces is more challenging due
to security problems.
Table 10: Governor-led eradication by province (ha), 2008
Province
Eradication
(ha)
verified
No. of
fields
eradication
reported
No. of
villages
eradication
reported
Total standing poppy
after eradication in
the reported villages
(ha)
Per centage of
opium poppy
eradication in
surveyed villages
Badakhshan
774
1374
145
125
86%
Baghlan
85
125
16
0
100%
Farah
9
15
9
670
1%
Ghor
38
170
38
11
78%
Hilmand
1416
2221
140
1449
49%
Hirat
352
606
55
140
72%
Jawzjan
0.05
1
1
0
100%
20
95
6
118
14%
1222
2141
228
3199
28%
Kapisa
6
21
3
0
100%
Kunar
103
1124
58
18
85%
Laghman
26
106
7
0
100%
Nangarhar
26
227
18
7
79%
Nimroz
113
199
16
377
23%
Kabul
Kandahar
Nuristan
3
28
1
0
87%
Uruzgan
113
221
21
636
15%
Zabul
0.14
2
1
0
100%
Grand Total
4,306
8,676
763
6,749
39%
Although the highest eradication was reported in Hilmand (1,416 ha), this amount becomes
almost negligible considering the amount of poppy cultivation in this province (103,590 ha).
Eradication in Kandahar (1,222 ha) was proportionally higher considering the total cultivation
of 14,623 ha. Government officials in Kandahar also forced farmers to eradicate their poppy
in the early stages of cultivation. Considering the low level of cultivation in 2008, eradication
efforts in Badakhshan (714 ha), Hirat (322 ha) and Kunar (103 ha) provinces can be
considered successful. In contrast only 9 ha of poppy fields were eradicated in Farah province
despite of the high amount of poppy cultivation in 2008.
21
Eradication area within/outside target zones
GLE eradication target zones were defined by MCN for the five highest opium poppy
cultivating provinces (Farah, Hilmand, Kandahar, Nimroz and Uruzgan). Target zones are
shown in the maps provided at the end of this report. Table 2 shows the total area eradicated
within and outside the eradication target zones in each province.
Table 11: Area within/outside target zones (ha) 2008
Province
Area within eradication
target zone (ha)
Area outside eradication
target zone (ha)
Total eradication verified
(ha)
5
4
9
Hilmand
780
636
1,416
Kandahar
97
1,125
1,222
Nimroz
106
7
113
Uruzgan
54
60
113
1,042
1,832
2,873
Farah
Grand Total
Figure 10: Percentage of total eradication (GLE and PEF) by province 2008
26%
Hilmand
20%
22%
Kandahar
14%
Badakhshan
6%
Hirat
Uruzgan
2%
Nimroz
2%
Kunar
2%
Baghlan
2%
Ghor
1%
Nangarhar
0.5%
Laghman
0.5%
Kabul
0.4%
Farah
0.2%
Kapisa
1% 0.1%
Nuristan
0.05%
Zabul
0.003%
Jawzjan
0.001%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Percentage of total eradication
GLE
PEF
22
Timing and percentage of eradication by month
Figure 14 shows timing and proportions of total governor-led eradication each month. Ninety
one per cent of eradication was carried out in three months from February 2008 to April 2008.
The amount of eradication was negligible between October (planting time) and January.
Figure 11: Total area eradicated each month, shown as percentage
45.0%
41%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
27%
25.0%
23%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
4%
5.0%
5%
1%
0.4%
0.0%
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Cannabis cultivation is becoming as lucrative as opium poppy
In 2008, cannabis cultivation was reported in 14 provinces namely Badakhshan, Badghis,
Baghlan, Bamyan, Day Kundi, Farah, Hilmand, Kandahar, Khost, Kunduz, Laghman,
Nangarhar, Uruzgan and Zabul. The highest cultivation was reported in Uruzgan, followed by
Kandahar, Hilmand and Nangarhar. The average price of cannabis at the end of July was
USD$ 56/kg.
Cannabis prices have been increasing in the last two years and reached US$ 56/kg in July
2008. Farmers growing cannabis may earn the same net income per hectare as farmers who
grow opium, or even more, because cultivating cannabis is less labour intensive than opium.
Though the opium survey does gather some data on cannabis cultivation, no estimates can be
provided in this preliminary report. It is clear, however, that cultivating cannabis is becoming
increasigly lucrative. When this is considered in conjuction with the fact that all the emphasis
is put on reducing opium, there is a great risk of farmers switching to cannabis.
23
24
266
Nimroz
Farah
Hilmand
103,590
15,010
291
65°E
Ghor
Faryab
Day Kundi
Sari Pul
Jawzjan
Uruzgan
Kandahar
Zabul
Bamyan
Ghazni
Paktika
70°E
Nuristan
Badakhshan
200
50 100
200
km
70°E
Geographic projection: WGS 84
0
PAKISTAN
Khost
Paktya
Nangarhar
Kapisa
Kunar
Laghman
Panjshir
Takhar
Kabul
Logar
Parwan
Baghlan
Kunduz
Wardak
Samangan
Balkh
UZBEKISTAN
2273
Source: Government of Afghanistan - National monitoring system implemented by UNODC
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
IRAN
Hirat
Badghis
587
TURKMENISTAN
6,203
9,939
65°E
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, 2006-2008
2,335
35°N
30°N
14,623
International boundaries
Provincial boundaries
2008
2007
2006
Cultivation Year
TAJIKISTAN
35°N
30°N
25
Farah
Nimroz
15,010
6,203
Farah
266
Hirat
103,590
Hilmand
Ghor
Faryab
65°E
Kandahar
9,939
Uruzgan
2,273
Day Kundi
Sari Pul
14,623
Kandahar
291
Jawzjan
Samangan
2,335
Zabul
Ghazni
Bamyan
Balkh
Mazari Sharif
UZBEKISTAN
Paktika
Wardak
Parwan
436
50 100
PAKISTAN
200
km
Kunar
70°E
Geographic projection: WGS 84
0
Jalalabad
Nangarhar
425
290
Nuristan
200
Fayzabad
Badakhshan
Laghman
Khost
310
Paktya
Logar
Takhar
70°E
Panjshir
Kapisa
Kabul
Kabul
475
Baghlan
Kunduz
Source: Government of Afghanistan - National monitoring system implemented by UNODC
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
IRAN
Hirat
587
Badghis
TURKMENISTAN
65°E
Opium Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan, 2008 (at province level)
35°N
30°N
75°E
International boundaries
Provincial boundaries
Main cities
Opium poppy cultivation
(ha) by province
Legend
TAJIKISTAN
75°E
35°N
30°N
26
Nimroz
Farah
Hirat
Hilmand
Ghor
65°E
Faryab
Kandahar
Kandahar
Uruzgan
Day Kundi
Sari Pul
Jawzjan
Zabul
Bamyan
Ghazni
Takhar
70°E
Badakhshan
Fayzabad
Kabul
50 100
200
km
70°E
Geographic projection: WGS 84
0
PAKISTAN
Paktika
Jalalabad
Nangarhar
Khost
Paktya
Logar
Kabul
Panjshir Nuristan
Parwan Kapisa
Kunar
Laghman
Baghlan
Kunduz
Wardak
Samangan
Balkh
Mazari Sharif
UZBEKISTAN
Source: Government of Afghanistan - National monitoring system implemented by UNODC
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
IRAN
Farah
Hirat
Badghis
TURKMENISTAN
65°E
Opium poppy cultivation change in Afghanistan (by province), 2007 - 2008
35°N
30°N
International boundaries
Provincial boundaries
Main cities
Increase (11% to 50%)
Stable (-10% to 10%)
Decrease (-49% to -11%)
Poppy free or
Strong decrease (-100% to -50%)
Cultivation change (%)
TAJIKISTAN
75°E
35°N
75°E
30°N
27
184
5,397
Hilmand
Ghor
65°E
Faryab
16
762
Kandahar
Kandahar
518
122
Zabul
Ghazni
17
Takhar
70°E
Khost
50 100
200
km
11
70°E
Geographic projection: WGS 84
0
PAKISTAN
Paktika
Jalalabad
Nangarhar
Kabul 17
Paktya
Logar
11
Kabul
Kunar
Badakhshan
6
Fayzabad
Panjshir Nuristan
ParwanKapisa
Laghman
26
Baghlan
Kunduz
Wardak
Samangan
Balkh
Mazari Sharif
Bamyan
Uruzgan
118
Day Kundi
Sari Pul
Jawzjan
UZBEKISTAN
Source: Government of Afghanistan - National monitoring system implemented by UNODC
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
IRAN
Nimroz
Farah
Hirat
446
Farah
8
Hirat
17
Badghis
TURKMENISTAN
65°E
Opium production in Afghanistan by province (mt), 2008
35°N
30°N
75°E
International boundaries
Provincial boundaries
Main cities
Opium production
(metric tons)
TAJIKISTAN
75°E
35°N
30°N
28
IRAN
Western
65°E
65°E
22,066
UZBEKISTAN
42
Southern
766
Central
Northern
11
6,917
132,760
Source: Government of Afghanistan - National monitoring system implemented by UNODC
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
30°N
35°N
TURKMENISTAN
655
310
50 100
200
Km
PAKISTAN
Eastern
70°E
Geographic projection, Datum WGS 84
0
200
North-eastern
70°E
6
45
Regional opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan, 2008
Cultivation (ha)
Production (mt)
30°N
Provincial boundaries
International boundaries
Eastern
35°N
INDIA
North Eastern
Legend
TAJIKISTAN
20581
1,151
29
6,203
Farah
Hilmand
Ghor
Badghis
103,590
291
Faryab
14,623
Kandahar
9,939
Uruzgan
2,273
Day Kundi
Sari Pul
Jawzjan
0
Ghazni
Paktika
130
260
km
Khost
200
425 Kunar
Nuristan
290
Zabul
Ghazni
Day Kundi
Bamyan
Samangan
Nangarhar
Laghman
436
310
Kabul
Geographic projection: WGS 84
65
Panjshir
Parwan Kapisa
475
Baghlan
Takhar
Wardak
Logar
Paktya
PAKISTAN
2,335
Zabul
Bamyan
Kunduz
Samangan
Balkh
Source security map: UNDSS
Source cultivation :Government of Afghanistan - National monitoring system implemented by UNODC
Note: The boundries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations
IRAN
Nimroz
15,010
Hirat
266
587
TURKMENISTAN
UZBEKISTAN
Khost
Kapisa
Panjshir
Paktya
Logar
Paktika
Wardak
Kabul
Parwan
Baghlan
Nangarhar
Kunar
Laghman
Nuristan
Badakhshan
District boundaries
Provincial boundaries
International boundaries
Opium poppy cultivation
(ha) by province
Low Risk
Medium Risk
High Risk
Extreme Risk
Security
Badakhshan
TAJIKISTAN
Security map ( as at 12 June 2008) and opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan by province, 2007-2008
30
Nimroz
Farah
Hilmand
Ghor
Faryab
Kandahar
Quetta
Zabul
Bamyan
Parwan
Ghazni
Paktika
50 100
PAKISTAN
PAKISTAN
Khost
Nangarhar
Kilometers
Geographic Projection
Datum: WGS 84
0
Paktya
Logar
Kunar
Nuristan
Badakhshan
Fayz Abad
Laghman
Jalalabad
Kapisa
Panjshir
Takhar
Kabul
Baghlan
Kunduz
Wardak
Samangan
Mazar-E-Sharif
Balkh
Uruzgan
Day Kundi
Sari Pul
Jawzjan
UZBEKISTAN
UZBEKISTAN
Source: Government of Afghanistan - National monitoring system implemented by UNODC
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
IRAN
IRAN
Hirat
Badghis
TURKMENISTAN
TURKMENISTAN
Afghanistan: Verified GLE and PEF in 2008 (by province)
INDIA
INDIA
International Boundaries
Province bounaries
Main cities
>2000
1001 - 2000
151 - 1000
11 - 150
Negligible
No eradication
Eradication (ha)
Peshwar
Legend
TAJIKISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
31
DarwazDarwazi Bala
Yawan
Kuf Ab
Khwahan
Eradication (ha)
TAJIKISTAN
Qarqin
PAKISTAN
Source: Government of Afghanistan - National monitoring system implemented by UNODC
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
IRAN
TURKMENISTAN
Khamyab
Paktya
Paktya
Khost
Khost
Logar Paktya
PaktyaPaktya Paktya
Paktya
INDIA
Provincial boundaries
District boundaries
International boundaries
Main cities
>750
501 - 750
201 - 500
11 - 200
Negligible
No data
Yangi Qala
Shighnan
Ragh
Darqad Chah Ab
Khwaja Bahawuddin Shahri BuzurgArgo Yaftali Sufla
Shortepa
Dashti
Qala
Shuhada
Kaldar
Imam Sahib Khwaja Ghar
Khani Chahar Bagh Mingajik Mardyan
Wakhan Badakhshan
Rustaq ShikiFayzabadBaharak
Dawlatabad
Andkhoy Khwaja Du Koh
Archi
Kohistan
Darayim
Qala-I-Zal
Qurghan
Chahar Bolak Nahri Shahi
Kalafgan Kishim
Kunduz Kunduz
Jurm
Qaramqol
Ishkashim
Jawzjan
Balkh
Fayzabad
Warduj
Takhar
Balkh Khulm
Khaniqa Aqcha
Tishkan
Chahar Dara
Bangi
Yamgan (Girwan)
Marmul
Shibirghan
Chimtal
Aliabad
Dawlatabad
Khash
Chal Farkhar
Chahar Kint Hazrati Sultan
Arghanj Khwa
Feroz Nakhchir Baghlani Jadid Ishkamish
Zebak
Sari Pul
Sholgara
Burka Firing Wa Gharu
Shirin Tagab
Aybak
Sozma Qala
Guzargahi Nur
Faryab Darzab Sayyad
Warsaj
Samangan
Nahrin
Kishindih
Puli
Khumri
Gosfandi
Khost Wa Firing
Maymana
Kuran Wa Munjan
AlmarKhwaja Sabz
Sangcharak Zari Dara-I- Sufi Payin Khuram Wa Sarbagh
Gurziwan
Dahana-I-Ghori Baghlan Puli Hisar
Bargi Matal
Pashtun Kot Bilchiragh
Ghormach
Paryan
Dara-I- Sufi Bala
Dih Salah Andarab
Sari Pul
Qaysar
Dushi
Ruyi Du Ab
Mandol
Khinjan
Panjshir Du Ab Wama Kamdesh
Kohistanat
Balkhab
Murghab
Kohistan
Bar Kunar
Tala Wa Barfak
Salang Unaba Dara
Muqur
Kahmard
Nari
Nuristan Waygal
Badghis
Nijrab Nurgaram
Asadabad
Sayghan
Ab Kamari
Gulran
Nuristan
Parwan
Shekh
Ali
Shibar
Jawand
Kapisa Alishing Alingar Kunar Dangam
Kushk
Yakawlang
Shaygal
wa Shiltan
Ghorband
Qala-I-Naw Qadis
Bamyan Bamyan Surkhi Parsa Istalif Kohi Safi Tagab Laghman Pech Narang
Chaghcharan
Kushki Kuhna
Sirkanay
Dih Sabz
Lal Wa Sarjangal
Mihtarlam Nurgal
Hisa-IAwal
Bihsud
Kohsan
Dawlat Yar
Injil
Jalrez
Kabul Surobi Qarghayi Kama GoshtaKhas Kunar
Karukh
Panjab
Zinda Jan
Nirkh
Markazi Bihsud
Khogyani
Kot
Hirat
Obe
Chishti Sharif
Khaki Jabbar
Ishtarlay
Wardak Muhammad AghaHisarak Nangarhar Lal Pur
Pashtun Zarghun
Sangi
Takht
Waras
Du
Layna
Hirat
Azra Sherzad
Rodat
Day MirdadChak
Dur Baba
Ghoryan
Logar Jaji
Guzara
Dih Bala Achin
Tulak
Ghor
SaydabadPuli Alam
Farsi
Khadir
Khushi Lija Mangal
Shahrak
Charsada
Day Kundi Miramor
Jaghatu
Adraskan
Sayid Karam
Charkh
Nawur
Jaji Maydan
NiliShahristan
Pasaband
Kharwar Gardez
Rashidan
Ghazni
Saghar
Sabari Bak
Paktya
Ajristan
Dih Yak
Taywara
Waghaz
Gizab
Zurmat Jadran Khost Tere Zayi
Kajran
Malistan
Andar
Kiti
Ghazni
Shindand
Sharan
Ziruk
SperaTani Gurbuz
Jaghuri Qarabagh
Chora
Sar Hawza
Pur Chaman
Giro
Baghran Shahidi Hassas
Khas Uruzgan
Anar Dara
Urgun Gayan
Muqur Ab Band
Omna
Uruzgan
Kakar (Khak-e Afghan)
Bala Buluk
Sarobi
Daychopan
Gelan
Zarghun Shahr
Khaki Safed
Barmal
Gulistan
Dihrawud Tirin Kot
Dila
Musa Qala
Arghandab
Pusht Rod Farah
Shahjoy
Paktika
Kajaki
Nesh
Naw Zad
Qala-I-Kah
Gomal
Nawa
Miya Nishin
Badakhshan
Baghlan
Bakwa
Mizan Zabul
Panjshir
Waza Khwa
Nuristan
Nuristan
Farah
Shib Koh
Panjshir
Qalat Naw Bahar
Badakhshan
SanginGhorak
Washer
Shah Wali Kot
Shamulzayi
Panjshir
Nuristan
Khakrez
Tarnak Wa JaldakShinkay
Nuristan
Turwo Wor Mamay
PanjshirPanjshir
Nuristan
Nahri Sarraj
Kunar
Arghandab
Lash Wa Juwayn
Atghar
Panjshir
Khash Rod
Panjshir
Nuristan
Maywand Kandahar (Dand)
Kunar
Nuristan
Nad Ali
Arghistan
Zhari
Lashkar Gah
Kapisa
Maruf
Kapisa
Nawa-i-Barakzayi
Kang
Nuristan
Laghman
Kunar
Kunar
Kapisa
Nimroz
Kandahar
Hilmand
Kunar KunarKunar
Kunar
Kapisa Kapisa
Chakhansur
Panjwayi
Spin Boldak
Kunar
Zaranj
Kunar
Laghman
Daman
Laghman
Kunar
Reg (Khan Nishin)
Parwan Kapisa
Kunar
Laghman NangarharKunar Kunar
Parwan
Laghman
Kabul
Kunar
Kunar
Nangarhar
Kabul
Garmser (Hazarjuft)
Laghman
Kabul
Shorabak
Chahar Burja
NangarharNangarharNangarhar
Kabul
Reg
Nangarhar
Nangarhar
Kabul
Dishu (Registan)
Nangarhar
Nangarhar
Nangarhar
Nangarhar
Nangarhar
Nangarhar
NangarharNangarhar
Nangarhar
Logar
Logar
Nangarhar
Nangarhar
Logar
Nangarhar NangarharNangarhar Nangarhar
Logar
Paktya
UZBEKISTAN
Afghanistan: Verified GLE and PEF Eradication in 2008 (by district)
32
Darwaz
Darwazi Bala
Kuf Ab
Khwahan
Yawan
Shighnan
Yangi Qala
Darqad Chah Ab Argo Ragh
Dashti Qala Shahri Buzurg
Chahar Burja
Dishu (Registan)
Nimroz
Farah
Hirat
Garmser (Hazarjuft)
Uruzgan
65°E
Reg
Shorabak
Ghazni
Bamyan
Takhar
Baghlan
Panjsher
Kunduz
Badakhshan
Paktika
50 100
200
Km
70°E
Geographic projection, Datum WGS 84
0
PAKISTAN
Khost
Paktya
Nuristan
Parwan Kapisa
Kunar
Laghman
Kabul
Wardak
Nangarhar
Logar
Samangan
Balkh
Zabul
Daykundi
Sari Pul
Kandahar
Faryab
Ghor
Hilmand
Badghis
TURKMENISTAN
Source: MCN - UNODC A fgh anista n Er adicati on S urvey 200 8
Note: The bou ndaries and names shown and the designations use d o n this map do not imp ly official end orse me nt or acce ptan ce by the United Na tion s.
30°N
IRAN
35°N
Jawzjan
UZBEKISTAN
70°E
35°N
GLE- Governor led eradication
30°N
Eradication target zone (MCN-SMTV)
Dis trict boundaries
Verified eradication locationINDIA
(GLE)
International boundaries
Provincial boundaries
Wakhan
TAJIKISTAN
Legend
Khamyab
Shortepa
Qarqin
Kaldar
Imam Sahib Khwaja Ghar
Khani Chahar Bagh Mingajik
Rustaq Shiki Fayzabad Shuhada
Qala-I-Zal
Andkhoy Khwaja Du Koh MardyanDawlatabad
Archi
Baharak
Nahri Shahi
Kalafgan KishimDarayim
Qurghan
Balkh
Jurm
Qaramqol
Ishkashim
Khulm
Kunduz
Fayzabad
Warduj
Tishkan
Aqcha
Chahar
Dara
Marmul
Bangi
Arghanj Khwa Yamgan (Girwan)
Dawlatabad Shibirghan
Chimtal
Farkhar
Aliabad
Khash
Chal
Chahar Kint Hazrati Sultan
Shirin Tagab
Zebak
Baghlani Jadid
Ishkamish
Sholgara
Sari Pul
Burka
Aybak
Sozma Qala
Dara-I- Sufi Payin
Darzab Sayyad
Guzargahi Nur Warsaj
Kishindih
Nahrin
Puli
Khumri
Gosfandi
Almar Khwaja Sabz Maymana
Khost Wa Firing
Kuran Wa Munjan
Dahana-I-Ghori
Puli Hisar
Gurziwan Sangcharak Zari
Khuram Wa Sarbagh
Bargi Matal
Pashtun Kot
Ghormach
Paryan
Bilchiragh
Dara-I- Sufi Bala Ruyi Du Ab
Qaysar
Andarab
Mandol
Dushi
Balkhab
Kamdesh
Khinjan
Murghab
Wama
Du
Ab
Kohistanat
Kohistan
Salang Unaba Dara
Kahmard
Tala Wa Barfak
Muqur
Waygal Nari
Sayghan
Nijrab
Bar Kunar
Gulran
Ab Kamari
Kushk
Nuristan PechAsadabad
Shibar
Yakawlang
Jawand
Dangam
Shekh Ali Ghorband
Qala-I-Naw Qadis
Chaghcharan
Bamyan
Tagab
Kohi Safi
Surkhi Parsa
Kushki Kuhna
Sirkanay
Kohsan
Lal Wa Sarjangal
Kuz Kunar
Injil
Dawlat Yar
Hisa-I-Awal BihsudJalrez
Surobi Qarghayi
Karukh
Goshta Khas Kunar
Panjab
Kama
Chishti Sharif
Zinda Jan
Markazi Bihsud
Nirkh Paghman
Obe
Khogyani
Kot
Hirat
Lal Pur
Khaki Jabbar HisarakSherzad Rodat
Pashtun Zarghun
Sangi Takht
Waras
Shahrak
Du Layna
Ishtarlay
Azra
Day Mirdad Chak
Ghoryan
Tulak
Dur Baba
Guzara
Jaji
Saydabad Puli Alam
Dih Bala Achin
Farsi
Khadir
Charsada
Miramor
Jaghatu
Nawur
Adraskan
Charkh
Sabari Jaji Maydan
Nili Shahristan
Pasaband
Rashidan Kharwar
Saghar
Bak
Ajristan
Taywara
Dih Yak Zurmat Gardez
Waghaz
Gizab
Tere Zayi
Jadran
Kajran Kiti
Malistan
Andar
Shindand
Sharan
Ziruk
Spera Tani Gurbuz
Pur Chaman
Jaghuri Qarabagh
Sar Hawza
Giro
Shahidi
Hassas
Khas
Uruzgan
Baghran
Anar Dara
Chora
UrgunGayan
MuqurAb Band
Omna
Kakar (Khak-e Afghan)
Sarobi
Bala Buluk
Daychopan
Gelan
Zarghun Shahr
Barmal
Khaki Safed
Gulistan
Dihrawud Tirin Kot
Dila
Musa Qala
ArghandabShahjoy
Pusht Rod
Kajaki
Nesh
Naw
Z
ad
Qala-I-Kah
Nawa
Gomal
Bakwa
Miya Nishin
Mizan
Farah
Waza Khwa
Shib Koh
Qalat Naw Bahar
Sangin Ghorak
Washer
Shah Wali Kot
Lash Wa Juwayn
Khakrez
Tarnak Wa Jaldak Shinkay
Shamulzayi TurwoWor Mamay
Nahri Sarraj
Arghandab
Atghar
Khash Rod
Maywand Kandahar (Dand)
Arghistan
Nad Ali
Zhari
Lashkar Gah
Maruf
Nawa-i-Barakzayi
Kang
Daman
Chakhansur
Panjwayi
Spin Boldak
Zaranj
Reg (Khan Nishin)
65°E
Afghanistan: Verified locations of Governor-led eradication, 2008